£3.5m plans hit by delays

One of the most important planning applications in Fleetwood’s history will not be looked at until next year.

And there is frustration among Fleetwood residents that ambitious £3.5m plans by Simmo Developments to build apartments on the former Fleetwood Pier site seem to be taking so long to be looked at by planners.

Many people are asking me what is happening

The proposals have been lodged with Wyre Council since April and it was anticipated they would be considered at a planning meeting in October or November.

But they have not come up on the lists so far and Wyre Council has now confirmed that the planning meeting for December 6 has now been cancelled because only one case - not the pier plans - is on the list.

Consortium Simmo, headed by businessman Mike Simmons (aka comedian Joey Blower) wants to build 15 ultra modern apartments, aimed at the over 55s, on the site which it is leasing from Wyre.

Although the modern, curved glass design has its admirers, many residents are opposed to the scheme and there have been 200 objections lodged with Wyre.

There have been a raft of reasons given for the objections, but the main fear for residents is that the three storey building would be too large for the site, is in the wrong position and would ruin Fleetwood’s much admired seafront.

Fleetwood Town Council is among those objecting and this week Coun Terry Rogers, chairman of the council, said: “I have experience in planning myself and I cannot understand why this application is taking so long to be looked at.

“Many people in Fleetwood have been asking me what is happening but I just don’t know.

“This is one of the most important planning matters in Fleetwood for years so it is something people want to know about and don’t want to miss.”

Wyre Council says that such an important and major application needs time to fully prepare before councillors make any decisions.

Mr Simmons bought the pier building for £500,000 but it burnt down in 2008, and since then he has been keen to develop the land, which he is leasing from Wyre Council on a long-term basis.